Gimmicky health foods 'not worth buying'

'Brain-boosting' foods such as milk and eggs enriched with omega-3 oils and probiotic drinks are not worth buying, claim food experts.

The claims made by so-called 'healthy foods' are often misleading and many have little impact at all, according to Dr Alex Richardson, an Oxford University researcher.

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Research has revealed that omega-3 can boost brain activity in children, leading to a glut of new products on the market claiming to be able to boost brain power simply by containing omega-3.

One such product is St Ivel's Advance, which is advertised as 'clever milk' and is much more expensive than ordinary milk.

However, experts believe that anyone drinking the product would have to consume at least three pints a day for any noticeable effect on their brain power.

Dr Richardson told the Daily Mail: "If you want omega-3, why not go straight to the foods that are high in it anyway?

"The best place to get nutrients is from a healthy, balanced diet of fresh foods."

Another recent study by Which? magazine found that the effects of fashionable probiotic drinks is "patchy" and most of the drinks are simply loaded with sugar.

Yakult for example, contains 18 per cent sugar.

"Probiotic bacteria may be beneficial in certain circumstances but the evidence for this is patchy. There's no reliable research to prove that probiotics help your general wellbeing," concluded Which?.

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